indure in this life are sanctified hereby to be to me Fatherly 1. Exercises 2. Chastisements 3. Trialls 4. Fulfilling of Christs afflictions 5. Meanes to confirme mee to Christ my head Rom. 5. 3 Heb. 12. 11 6 7 8. Apo. 3. 10. Col. 1. 24. Rom. 8. 29. 6. Examples to others 3. This also warrants the soundnes of my faith herein Gal. 6. 14. 1. Because I feele my selfe to profit in Christianity by my afflictions and crosses Psa. 119. 67 71. 2. I desire to take pleasure in such suffrings for Christs sake 2 Cor. 12. 20. 3. Because the old man in mee beginnes to bee crucified with Christ Gal Phi. 1. 29. 2. 19. 5. 24. Dead 1. This is my faith 1. Cor. 15 55. 56. 57. that Christ hath died for my sin and by dying hath ouer come death and so taken away the sting thereof that it cannot hurt any of those that beleeue in him 2. This comfort I finde hereupon that death shal be so far off from hurting mee Phi. 1. 23. 2. Cor. 5. 1. 2. that it is already sanctified by this death of my Sauiour to be to mee the gate of life 3. This also increaseth my assurance that my faith is sound herein because I finde together with this comfort that euery sinne hath receiued his deaths wounde in me each beginning to dye and for that I feele a power by Gal. 2. 19. Christs death Phil. 3. 10. to triumph against the terrors of death Col. 3 2. waiting for it when I haue finished my course Phil. 1. 21. 23. wishing to bee dissolued and to bee with Christ. Rom. 7. 24. And buried 1. This is my faith that Christ was buried for me both to assure me of the certaintie of his death for me and that all my sinnes are buried in his graue yea withall to bury sinne in mee Rom. 6. 3. 4 and to sanctifie my graue to bee a sweete bedde for my body to rest in vntill the resurrection Esay 57. 2. 2. This very faith is my ioy and moreouer that my sinnes thus buried shal neuer come into remembrance to accuse or condemne mee Rom. 8. 34. 35. or to hinder Gods euerlasting mercy loue from me 3. This also furthers my assurance for that together with this ioy I feele many sinnes buried in me Col. 2. 11. 12. and consuming daily by the vertue of this death and buriall of my Sauiour especially Rom. 7. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. the strength and delight I tooke in euery sinne He descended into hell 1. This is my faith that Christ suffered not only in his body the punishment due to my body but in his soule also the tormēt due to my soule which I should haue indured for euermore Mar. 14. 33. 34. and that not onely vppon the crosse Luke 22. 44. but also in the garden as appeareth by his speeches his pravers Heb. 5. 7. his crie his agony and bloody sweate and so hath for me triumphed ouer hell 2. This is my comfort that though I stood euer in danger of eternal death for all my sinnes yet now by my Sauiour I am deliuered from the terrours thereof Heb. 2. 15. 3. This is further for my assurance hereof Ioh. 3. 14. 15. for that I haue receiued comfort in this onely Num. 21. ◠euen then when the paines of hell haue gotten hold vpon mee for my sinnes and because I feele a desire to saue others also from that place of torment by leading them to this my Sauiour Ioh. 3. 18. 36. and haue now entred the narrow way to heauen following my Sauiour therein Mat 7. 13. 14. hauing left the broad way going to destruction 5. Article The third day he rose again from the dead 1. This is my faith that my Sauiour hath fully satisfied the iustice of his father for my sinn euen to the vttermost farthing Rom. 4. 25. in that he rose againe because any one sin of his elect not satisfied for had kept him in death 1. Cor. 15. 15. 56. 57. seeing he tooke vpon him to become surety for them all 2. This is my ioye that thorough him I am iustified and stand as righteous in the sight of my God all my sins being vtterly done away Rom. 4. 25. and couered hereby 3. This helpeth my assurance hereof for that besides this comfort Eph. 2. 5. 6. I feele my selfe also raysed vp to a desire of a perfect holinesse Phil. 3. 10. Apo. 20. 5. 6. 6. Article He ascended into heauen 1. This is my faith that when my Sauiour had fulfilled all things in the earth for the redeeming of his church he went vp into heauen Luk. 24. 51 both to prepare the way Act. 1. 9. and also to take possession and to keepe it for mee Ioh. 14. 2. 2. This is my ioy that none can hinder mee from thence Ioh. 17. 24 but where my Sauiour and head is there shall I bee also This ratifieth my assurance for that my affections are already ascended beeing set on things that are aboue Col. 3. 2. And sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty 1. This is my faith Mat. 28. 18 that my Sauiour hath all power giuen him ouer all sorts Iohn 17. 2 to giue eternall life to whom he will Eph 4. 8. 10 and condemne the rest sittes as King at the right hand of his Father filling his Church with his gifts guiding it by his word and spirit vntill he haue glorified it Esa. 54. 10 59. 21. and subdued all his enemies 1. Cor. 15 24. 25. conuincing them by the light of Nature his workes 1. creatures 2. iudgmēts 3. mercies word 2. This is my comfort that he will guide me by his word spirit continually Phil. 1. 6. ouer-rule whatsoeuer Sathā or the wicked can doo against mee 1. Pet. 1. 5 to serue for my good Esa. 8. 16 against thēselues 3. This is also for my further assurance herein because I feele my selfe desirous to be guided by the direction of his holye spirit speaking in the word and moreouer Esa. 30. 21. I heare a voyce behind mee saying This is the way Esa. 59. 21. walke in it when I turne to the right hand or to the left 7. Article From thence hee shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead 1. This is my faith Ioh. 5. 22. that my Sauiour shal come to be the iudge of the whole world Ro. 14. 10. to iudge euery one according to their workes 2. Cor. 5. 10 2. This is my ioy that though I did and doo naturally quake so oft as I heare or thinke of the terrible iudgement Act. 24. 26 yet remembring the iudge 2. Thes. 1. 10. who hath by himselfe satisfied for all my sinnes so taking them on himselfe and giuen me his owne absolute righteousnesse I can
2. Carefull prouision for their soules bodies praying with their families dayly Ps. 127. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 4. 4. 5. Ier. 10. 25. 3. Paying their wages duely with the better Iob. 31 38. 39. 11. Seruants dueties 1. Faithfulnes for their maisters profit with al wisdom as Iacob Eliezer Ioseph 2. Subiection in seruice abiding correction as the Angell bids Hagar Gen. 16. 8. 9. 12. Schoolemasters duties 1. Practising painfully constantly most profitable courses Rom. 12. 7. for the speedier furnishing their schollars 1. Cor. 12. 31 14. 12. with the best learning manners to the greatest good of the 1. Schollers 2. Church 3. Countrie 2. Drawing them on to loue and honest emulation Eph. 6. 4. with rewards Col. 3. 21. vsing moderate correction abhorring crueltie Pro. 12. 10. 3. Indeuouring especially to bee a patterne to them of all vertue Psal. 101. 2 ◠Tim. 4. 12. as being alwaies in their eyes so to procure more true reuerence to themselues blessing to their schollers 13. Schollers duties 1. Strife to excell their fellowes in 1. Learning 1. Cor. 12. 31. 14. 12. 2. Manners 3. Obedience Phil. 4. 8. 9. 4. Loue to their master 6 Commandement Thou shalt not kill commanding by all meanes to preserue life of body Soule Here we are to examine how we indeauour to performe all these duties with more conscience 1. Which may preserue or make this present life more comfortable 1. Procuring and vsing al helpes therunto as holesome diet and clothing 1. Tim. 5. 23. 2. Holy mirth reioycing in al our labours and at all times in the Lord. Pro. 14. 30. 15. 15. 17. 22. And this by keeping alway a good conscience which is a continuall feast Phil. 4. 4. for the ioy of the Lord is our strength causing good health 2. Co. 1. 12. Neh. 8. 10. Eccl. 3. 12. 13. and a principal part of our portion in this life Rom. 14. 17. and of the begining of the kingdome of heauen Rom. 13. 4. Pro. 22. 3. 3. Seeking all holy meanes of refuge against all violence and danger as our Sauiour especially flying to the Christian Magistrate as to Gods lieutenant 4. Helpe of the Phisitian and surgeon Mat. 9. 12. 5. Exercise 1. Tim. 5. 23. 2. Auoyding as warily all things hurtfull and perillous as 1. All contagious diseases Pro. 22. 3 2. All euill purposes of offering violence to our selues or naughtie wishes vpon discontentment 1. Pet. 5. 8. 9 and therein flying all prouocations Iam. 4. 7. furtherances and occasions thereof Gen. 3. especiall solitarinesse or reasoning with the temptation or any way harkening thereunto 3. Rash aduentures without a warrantable calling Mat. 4. 6 7. 4. Worldly grief Pr. 17. 22. which dryeth vp the bones and causeth death 2. Cor. 7. 10 5. Anger and enuy which are the rotting of the bones Pr. 14. 30. 6. Surfetting intemperance and excesse which kill more then the sword Pro. 23. 29. 30. being causes of innumerable diseases and griefes 7. Prouoking others to the hurt of our selues as Iosiah did to the king of Egypt 2. Chr. 35. ◠20. 21 22 23 24. 2. Concerning the life and comfort of our neighbour 1. Earnestly seeking peace with all men so farre as is possible as Abraham and Dauid And to this end labouring to attaine to these vertues which are most auaileable to gaine loue euen from our very enemies do much adorne Christianitie 1. Curtesie without dissimulation as Abraham to the Hithits 2. Meekenesse in suffering forgiuing and forgeting wrongs leauing vengance to God Rom. 12. 19. Eph. 4. 32. 3. Labouring to ouercome enemies by kindnesse Rom. 12. 20 21. seeking occasions to gratifie thē at least praying for thē that they may obtaine mercye and haue their hearts changed 4. Dealing iustly with all that we may weare their reproach as a crown as Iob. Samuel Iob. 29 31. 5. Abounding in compassion and good workes as our Sauiour 6. Aduenturing boldly for their defence and deliuerance and much more for the Church of GOD and our country as Abraham for Lot Dauid for Israel 7. Offering seeking reconciliatiō where it may stand with the credit of the Gospell the saluation of the party and others Mat. 5. 23. 24. 2. Auoyding as carefully all occasions of the contrary as 1. In heart Vnaduised anger Eph. 4. 27. whereby wee first giue place to the Deuill to enter into our hearts 2 Malice or hatred 1. Ioh. 3. 12 which is murther before God especially Cains hatred for the good things we see in men although we pretend other causes of our hatred This is the ordinary sin of the world Mat. 10. 22. Ioh. 15. 19. 1. In wordes 1. Bralling and rayling as Shemey and Rabsakey 2. Crying out against others or reuiling vncharitably Eph. 4. 31. 3. Threatning or skoffing at thē Esay 58. 9. 2. In deeds 1. Fighting blowes maymes danger Leuit. 24. 19. 2◠2. Crueltie 1. Punishing vnmercifully Deut. 25. 3. 2. Oppressing the poore to make them wearie of their liues Iere. 22. 17. Tit. 14. 2. Titus 3.2 3. Denying helpe or reliefe as the priest and Leuite Luke 10. 31. 32. 4. Betraying other as Iudas 3. Sheading innocent bloud Gen. 4. 8. which defileth the land and cryeth for vengeance Num. 35 33. By 1. A weapon as Ioab slew Abner 2. Sam. 2. Poyson inchantment destroying the conception or any secret practise Num. 35. 31. 3. Consent as Saul to Stephens death 1. King 2. 31. 4. Sauing the wilfull murtherer 2. Concerning our soules or spirituall life wee are to examine how we increase in care 1. For the sauing our owne soules by 1. Walking more warily in this narrow way of life Pro. 16. 17. 2. Auoyding all those things which tend to the destroying of our soules that so much more carefully as the soule is more excellent then the bodie eternal life then this and eternal death more fearefull as 1. To liue in any one knowne sin Rom. 6. 23. for the wages of the least is death eternall Gal. 3. 12. will certainly destroy the soule Psa. 34. 12. 13 14. if it be liued in with delight Pro. 11. 19. Ezek. 18. 11. Iam. 2. 10. Mat. 5. 19. 1. Iohn 3. 8. 2. To neglect any meanes ordayned to saluation Heb. 2. 3. as hearing the word preached ordinarily c. whereby men become dead Apoc. 3. 1. hauing a name to liue or at least loose their ioy or feeling Psa. 51. 10. 11. 12. 2. Concerning the saluation of others 1. Taking euery occasion which the Lord offereth for procuring or furthering the saluation of others 1. Cor. 10. 33. and so pleasing all in that which is good to edifie Pro. 11. 30. because he that winneth soules is wise Dan. 12. 3. and shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament for euermore Iam. 4. 17. but hee that
a light vnto my paths 105. Thy testimonies are my delight my coūcellors 24. They are better vnto mee then thousands of gold and siluer 72. The Lord is with you whilst you are with him if you seeke him he will be found of you but if you forsake him he will forsake you 2. Ch. 15. 2. The hand of our God is vpon all them that seeke him in goodnesse but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him Exr. 8. 22. The iust shall liue by faith but if any withdraw himselfe my soule shall take no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. Because iniquity shal be increased the loue of many shall wax cold but he that endureth to the end he shal be saued Mat. 24. 12. 13. Prou. 3. 21 22. ad 26. et 4. 6 19 20 21 22 Iob. 22. 21 22 23. 10 11 12. 28. 28. Mat. 7. 13. 14. Apo. 22. 14. VVherefore is liuing man sorowful man suffereth for his sin Let vs search try our wayes turne againe vnto the Lord. Let vs lift vp our hearts with our hands to God in the heauens Lam. 3. 39. 40 41. VVhen I held my tongue my bones consumed or when I roared all the day Then I acknowledged my sin vnto thee neither hid I myne Iniquity for I thought I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne Psa. 32. 1 2 3 5 6. Iob. 33. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. The triall of our estate The meanes whereby we may obtaine a certaine assurance that we are the children of God and in his fauour and also get the same more confirmed daylie THe meanes is 2. Cor. 13. 5 by a carefull examination of our selues 1. Cor. 11. Mar. 1. 15. whether we feele these two graces Act. 1. 38. Luk. 3. 3. Repentance and Faith Ioh. 1. 12. Gal. 3. 26. and that increased in vs or at least continued Col. 3. 9. 10. 11. for hereby we haue put off the old man and put on the new and so are acceptable to the Lord through Iesus Christ. 2. The rule of our triall We must trie our repentance by the lawe of God Heb. 6. 1. whereof the ten Commaundements are the summe and our faith by the Gospell Mat. 1. 15. whereof the Articles of our faith containe a short summe also 3. The Subiect of our triall or parts to be examined We must examine our selues and that for all parts 2. Cor. 13. 5. 1. 1 Thes 5. 23. Our minde whether it be inlightned to know that which is good and to be imbraced Col. 1. 9. 10 and that which is euill for to be auoyded Heb. 5. 14. 1 Thes. 5. 21. 2. Our memory whether it do firmly keepe those things that it hath learned Psa. 119. 11. 3. Pro. 7. 1. 2. Our will whether it chuse the good and refuse the euill Luk. 2. 51. Rom. 7. 18. 9. 20. 4. Our affections whether they loue that which god loueth hate that which he hateth Rom. 7. 22. 24. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 20 Our body whether it indeauour to performe euery duety accordingly and in euery part Rom. 6. 12. 19. and all this at all times and in all places Iam. 1. 26. All these parts being the Lords Deu. 6. 4. 5. 6 he doth require this holinesse in them all and that by striuing to perfection Mat. 22. 37. Luk. 10. 27. 1. Thes. 5. 23. Phil. 3. 12. 13. Time of our examination The fittest time is Eccl. 4. 17. Ps. 26. 6. 1. Cor. 11. 28. 31. 1. In our preparation to the Saboth to obserue it continually 2. More carefully before our receiuing the sacrament or before a fast publike priuate Ioel. 2. 12. 13. 17. The reason is because the Lord wil be sanctified in all them that come neere vnto him in any such speciall manner And moreouer we may certainly expect a measure from him of blessing Leu. 10. 3 Exo. 19. 22 as we measure to him in our preparation to such holy exercises Mat. 7. 2. Mar. 4. 24. Place for our examination The meetest place is Psa. 4. 4. 5. where we may bee most secret and freest from distractions setting our selues as in the presence of GOD with whom we haue to deale and where we may most freely powre out our soules without suspition of hypocrisie Helpes before our examination to make it more powerfull We may vse the helpe of this threefold consideration 1. Of the misery into which euery sin brings vs vntill wee haue truely repented of it 2. How our sinnes are made more haynous by circumstances 3. The blessings following a holy conuersation The first helpe viz. danger of impenitency in any sinne 1. By euery sin we dishonour God more or lesse according to the quality thereof and so prouoke him to dishonour vs againe 1. Sam. 2. 30. 2. Euery sinne defaceth in some sort the Image of God in vs which we should labour to repaire dayly This image is the holinesse commanded in the whole law Col. 3. 9. 10. 3. Each makes vs in part like Sathan whom in that sin we resemble John 44. giuing him aduantage thereby both to accuse vs before the Lord 1. Ioh. 5. 18 and to lay speciall claime to vs for the same Iob. 1. 9. 10 11. 12. or at least to get liberty to afflict vs thereupon 4. Each as a cloud separates betwene the Lords mercy and vs Esa. 59. 2. hides from vs the comfortable light of his countenance Ios. 24. 19. 20. hindreth the course of his graces Ier. 5. 25. for our God is so holy Psa. 5. 4. 5. that no euill can dwell with him and so turnes away blessings temporall and spirituall 5. Prouokes the anger of our most louing father against vs as the faults of children do of their parents 1. Cor. 10 22. Exod. 4. 14. 24. Ioh. 22. 17. 18. 6. Brings distrust of Gods prouidence Psal. 50. 16. 17. 18. and weakeneth our faith in all his promises by the same example of a lewd child cōtinuing obstinate against the parents in any fault Esa. 1. 12. 13. to 17. 66. 3. so that wee cannot say that God is our God or that we are his dutifull people and children and in his fauour so long as wee continue therein The triall of this in our most serious prayers in time of trouble is most euident 7. Brings temporall scourges on our bodies Exo. 4. 24. 26. goods friends or name wherby the Lord sheweth his hatred of euery sin euen in his owne children 1. Cor. 11. 30. 31. awakeneth them Num. 27. 12. 13. 14. 20. 12. 24. that they may not be condemned with the world preuents the like in themselues and others as Dauids ensample fully declareth 8. Greiues Gods spirit to cause it to depart so farre Eph. 4. 30. as that we shall loose al sound feeling
mens bare wordes or actions without their intent and meaning wresting or any way peruerting them as the false witnesses against our Sauiour Iewes against Stephen 9. Bearing false witnesse or accusing falsely as Haman against the Iewes Amazia against Amos as also the accusations Amo 7. 10 against our Sauiour Ieremie Paul 10. Lying which is very falshood in word or deede with purpose to deceiue This is a principall sinne of Sathan Ioh. 8. 44. who was a lier from the beginning and the father thereof 11. Vniust or rash arbitrement or giuing iudgement as the Elders against Naboth 12. Malicious accusations not of any conscience to God or for amendment of the partie or good of others but of spite as Doeg 13. Betraying others or their cause craftily vnder pretence of friendshippe or otherwise as the Herodians intended and Iudas delt with our Sauiour 14. Bewraying the secret or infirmitie of our neighbour to his discredit which wee might well haue concealed Mat. 18. 15. 15. Lightly beleeuing flying tales or suspitions Psa. 15. 3. against our brother as Saul against Dauid and the Priestes much more spreading them or adding to them 16. Flattering as Corah and his company did the people and as Absolon or the false Prophets crying peace which is to lay nets for men and to be huntsmen for Sathan 10. Com. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house wherein the Lord requires our very hearts to be vpright towards our neighbour Here we must examine our hearts how we grow 1. In intertaining only holy thoughts purposes and affections for the good of all men 1. Th. 5. 23 2. In suppressing euill thoughts and motions Zach. 7. 10. that we may neuer giue any consent Rō 7. 7. 20 23. 24. nor take the least delight in thē but labour to the vtter burying of all concupiscence vntill we be perfect in the heauens The glasse of the Gospell or the examination of our faith according to the Articles of faith which containe the summe of the Gospell Rules 1. THe measure of our faith is according to the measure of the power therof in comfort and sanctification 1. Cor. 4. 20 issuing from euery article 2. Tim. 3. 5. except in the time of temptation 2. Cor. 1. 22 2. All the benefits contayned in the articles of faith 2. Cor. 1. 20 are ours in through Christ onely when he is ours 3. Let vs proue our selues therefore whether we are in the faith let vs examine our selues 2. Cor. 1 3. 5 knowe wee not our owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in vs except we be reprobates 4. And if Christ be in vs Rom. ◠10. the body is dead because of sinne but the spirit is life for righteousnesse sake 5. For the Kingdome of God is not in word but in power 1. Cor. 4. 20 6. We must therefore shew our faith out of our workes for as the bodye without the spirit is dead euen so faith without works is dead I am 2. 18. 20. 26. 1. Article I beleeue in God 1. This is my faith that though by nature thorough Adam I the whole Church are Apostates from God Eph. 2. 13. and enemies to him his law yet by grace thorough the secōd Adam Iesus Christ God is our God and we his people reconciled vnto him Heb. 8. 3. to serue him in newnesse of life all our dayes Luk. 1. 74 75. 2. This is my comfort hereof that God is my God and hath sealed mee for himselfe Ioh. 20. 28. 29. and therefore I am most blessed being in such a case Psal. 144. 15. 3. This giues mee further assurance that this my faith is sound because together with this comfort he hath giuē me since I beleeued in his name a heart desirous to depart from all iniquity 2. Tim. 2. 29. Father 1. This is my faith Gal. 3. 22. 26. that though I was a child of wrath yet by grace in Christ I am the child of God Ier. 4. 19. and God my louing father 2. This comfort I receiue hereof that I being thus his child shall lacke nothing because my heauenly father doth tender me much more Mal. 3. 17. then any earthly father his child Esay 46. 15. 16. 3. This is my assurance that my faith herein is sincere Mal. 1. 6. because together with this comfort Mat. 12. 50. I feele my selfe affectioned to reuerence Gal. 4. 5. 6. loue and obey him as my most deare father and am inabled by his spirit to runne to him with boldnesse in al my wants crying Abba oh my father Rom. 8. 15. Almighty This is my faith that though I be weake and vnable to resist my enimies bodilie or spirituall no way able to helpe or prouide for my selfe yet my heauenly father is of all maiesty and power Mat. 8. 2. guiding continually men Angells Psa. 23. 4. deuils and all creatures to serue for his owne glory and the good of his children 2. This comfort I receiue hereof that he doth will continually make all things worke togither for the best vnto mee Rom. 8. 28. not only the holy meanes appointed thereunto 1. Cor. 3. 20 21. 22. but also myne afflictions Acts. 4. 28. yea my greatest enimies Sinnes and Sathan himselfe vntill I be perfected in the Heauens Gen. 50. 20. 3. This also doth further assure mee that he thus works for mee because he hath first shewed the same mighty power quickning and raysing mee vp from the death of sin Eph. 1. 19. 20. which he shewed in raysing my Sauiour from the graue and secondlie for that I haue sensibly felte all things thus working togither for my saluation Maker of heauen and earth 1. This is my faith that though thorow Adam I had lost the right both of heauen and earth and of euery creature so as I could haue no comfort in the vse of thē but terror as an vsurper being cast forth off the earthly paradice Gen. 3. 24. lest as an heire of the curse yet thorough my Sauiour the second Adam Rom. 5. 17. 18. since I truely beleued in him I am restored to a farre better estate Heb. 1. 2. being made in him a right heyre of all Rom. 8. 17. neuer to be cast forth off my inheritance any more 2. This comfort I receiue hereof that heauen is mine and all the ioyes thereof Eph. 2. 6. and that I am set already in the heauēly places in Christ my head who reserues the full fruition for mee And secondly that all the creatures in heauen and in earth bee they good or bad Iob. 5. 23. are at a league with mee 1. Cor 3. 21. 22. 23. to helpe for my good so far as may stand with his glory my saluation and the good of his Church Hos. 2. 18. 3. This is also my assurance that my faith is sincere herein because that